SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6325

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6325 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Ranker, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hatfield, Stevens and Swecker.

Background: The Institute of Forest Products was created by the Legislature in 1947 under the Department of Conservation and Development. The Legislature transferred the administration of Institute of Forest Products to the Board of Regents of the University of Washington (UW) in 1959. In 1979 it was renamed the Institute of Forest Resources (Institute) and became responsible for pursuing research and education related to forest resources and its multiple uses, including its conservation, management, and utilization.

In 2009 the College of Forest Resources became the School of Forest Resources within the UW's new College of the Environment.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): The scope of the Institute is broadened to provide a framework for prioritizing and conducting interdisciplinary research on critical forest issues. The Director of the UW's School of Forest Resources is directed to coordinate the existing cooperatives and research centers.

The Director of the School of Forest Resources is to appoint an 11 member policy advisory board. Membership on the policy advisory board is to include a broad representation of various interests, including: state and federal governments, environmental organizations, local communities, the timber industry, and tribes. The board members must be reimbursed according to the statute for travel expenses.

The Institute is to provide a progress report to the Legislature by July 1, 2011.

The Timber Recovery Fund Board (Board) is created with five members, of which two are appointed by the Governor. The Board is responsible for allocating grants and loans for the protection of working forest lands to specified projects and activities, subject to available resources. Administrative support for the Board is provided by the Recreation and Conservation Office. The Timber Recovery Fund Board Account is created in the state treasury to receive gifts, grants, endowments, public and private funding.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The recommended substitute makes the following changes:

creates a five-member Timber Recovery Fund Board of which two members are appointed by the Governor;
requires the Timber Recovery Fund Board to allocate grants and loans for the protection of working forests lands, subject to available resources;
requires the Recreation and Conservation Office to provide support for administering the grants and loans; and
creates the Timber Recovery Fund Board Account in the state treasury to receive gifts, grants, endowments, public and private funding.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: The Institute will provide an umbrella for the coordination of the research cooperatives and centers. The Institute will provide a common home for the cooperatives and centers, which will result in personnel and resource efficiencies, better public and legislative access and focus, and the potential for financial stability.